TRAILMASTER:
NOTES FROM THE LAND
Scott Copeland
Sept 4, 2014
Today's goal was to cut up the huge Ligustrum that had fallen into the spring. It was still living in its pile of dirt and rubble. Secondary branches were shooting straight up trying to become new trees.
Kudzu was running all over. New vines grew 20-30' since the last cut. But each time I rip 'em out, I'm closer to the central root, like where those 2 1" thick vines were coming from.
Sept 4, 2014
Today's goal was to cut up the huge Ligustrum that had fallen into the spring. It was still living in its pile of dirt and rubble. Secondary branches were shooting straight up trying to become new trees.
Kudzu was running all over. New vines grew 20-30' since the last cut. But each time I rip 'em out, I'm closer to the central root, like where those 2 1" thick vines were coming from.
In this photo, water seeps from the bank on the left side. The clay has some mossy-type plants getting established and a couple small seep holes are developing.
Once I cut the base of the tree and worked my way up the trunks, I could see critter holes in the bank, both sides. I hadn't seen the second pile of dirt that must have fallen in some time ago, and right behind it is a huge hole in the bank with a large unstable overhang.
But look! You can see Spring House!
After a break with Byrd I worked another hour on the rest of the trail. It's now open all the way around to the old sculpture on the other side of the creek. Poison ivy is still out so be careful. Personal highlight was the colony of giant-sized, knee-high Green Dragon plants (same family as Jack-in-pulpit). Two had big seedheads nestled below.
~
Once I cut the base of the tree and worked my way up the trunks, I could see critter holes in the bank, both sides. I hadn't seen the second pile of dirt that must have fallen in some time ago, and right behind it is a huge hole in the bank with a large unstable overhang.
But look! You can see Spring House!
After a break with Byrd I worked another hour on the rest of the trail. It's now open all the way around to the old sculpture on the other side of the creek. Poison ivy is still out so be careful. Personal highlight was the colony of giant-sized, knee-high Green Dragon plants (same family as Jack-in-pulpit). Two had big seedheads nestled below.
~
August 5, 2014 Workday Goals
Edge south trail to Spring.
Clear dead and fallen trees around Spring.
Cut back kudzu.
Continue down south trail.
I expected to work from 10 till noon but started early and went longer, taking breaks at 11 (when Byrd stopped by) and
12. As far as the work - cut or pull anything in the way; pile it up and tramp it down. It's mostly invasive privet, coral ardisia and various vines and brambles.
Somebody had recently cut some of the flowering Tradescantia along the trail to the spring. I chopped at a few more. At the spring, after whacking my way thru, some privet saplings are left since they may help slow erosion. Most the kudzu runners are gone but not the roots.
Once it was cleared on all 3 sides, I climbed down and started cutting branches, tossing out limbs, and picking up loose rubble. All that so I could stand there safely and look around.
1. Spring from the far side, the east side.
In the center is the exposed roots of the big ligustrum that fell in. If you look at the 2010 photos of Kevin Schweizer inspecting the spring, it's the tree with exposed roots hanging on the edge. The water flows off to the bottom right in this photo.
Edge south trail to Spring.
Clear dead and fallen trees around Spring.
Cut back kudzu.
Continue down south trail.
I expected to work from 10 till noon but started early and went longer, taking breaks at 11 (when Byrd stopped by) and
12. As far as the work - cut or pull anything in the way; pile it up and tramp it down. It's mostly invasive privet, coral ardisia and various vines and brambles.
Somebody had recently cut some of the flowering Tradescantia along the trail to the spring. I chopped at a few more. At the spring, after whacking my way thru, some privet saplings are left since they may help slow erosion. Most the kudzu runners are gone but not the roots.
Once it was cleared on all 3 sides, I climbed down and started cutting branches, tossing out limbs, and picking up loose rubble. All that so I could stand there safely and look around.
1. Spring from the far side, the east side.
In the center is the exposed roots of the big ligustrum that fell in. If you look at the 2010 photos of Kevin Schweizer inspecting the spring, it's the tree with exposed roots hanging on the edge. The water flows off to the bottom right in this photo.
2. Spring from the house side, looking east
I was standing back on the pine trunk to take the first photo. The sweet gum laying across split from its better half last spring. Both trunks are over a foot and a half thick.
I was standing back on the pine trunk to take the first photo. The sweet gum laying across split from its better half last spring. Both trunks are over a foot and a half thick.
3. Big water oak across the trail
Next downed tree was this water oak. It was in soggy ground last spring, standing water at times, which probably weakened the roots. I'll clean up around it but leave the trunk as a big stepover - maybe a seat too.
Next downed tree was this water oak. It was in soggy ground last spring, standing water at times, which probably weakened the roots. I'll clean up around it but leave the trunk as a big stepover - maybe a seat too.
---
So on the south trail going past the spring, I cut back the sweet gum limbs blocking the trail.
This place is where the water comes out of other holes, round holes similar to inside the spring. Water flowed in heavy rains last spring and ran down the trail. Although it's nice to "step up" on the ledge there, I may reroute the trail around this sensitive part.
After the fallen water oak, I went a bit farther cutting and clearing branches till another fall. Moved up the orange tape marking the temporary end of trail. Even tho this was a lot of work to get a little ways, I was pleased that my winter trailblazing effort was in good shape, the meandering circle around to the other side of the stream, looking back at the house, was still there.
PLANT NEWS
Poison ivy is dying back now. Yippie!
Invasive plants:
Privet now setting seeds, green stage but not quite ready to ripen.
Japanese climbing fern starting to spore. Showed Byrd how the edges crinkle first.
Ardisia also setting new seeds - green, about 1/8"
Good plants:
The Red Buckeye behind the house has a couple dozen buckeyes. They are in the brown ripening stage. Once the outer husks split, we will harvest and plant them in the woods out front and along the north trail where invasive plants have been removed.
^__^
So on the south trail going past the spring, I cut back the sweet gum limbs blocking the trail.
This place is where the water comes out of other holes, round holes similar to inside the spring. Water flowed in heavy rains last spring and ran down the trail. Although it's nice to "step up" on the ledge there, I may reroute the trail around this sensitive part.
After the fallen water oak, I went a bit farther cutting and clearing branches till another fall. Moved up the orange tape marking the temporary end of trail. Even tho this was a lot of work to get a little ways, I was pleased that my winter trailblazing effort was in good shape, the meandering circle around to the other side of the stream, looking back at the house, was still there.
PLANT NEWS
Poison ivy is dying back now. Yippie!
Invasive plants:
Privet now setting seeds, green stage but not quite ready to ripen.
Japanese climbing fern starting to spore. Showed Byrd how the edges crinkle first.
Ardisia also setting new seeds - green, about 1/8"
Good plants:
The Red Buckeye behind the house has a couple dozen buckeyes. They are in the brown ripening stage. Once the outer husks split, we will harvest and plant them in the woods out front and along the north trail where invasive plants have been removed.
^__^
Feb. 25, 2014 Trail video
Here's me walking the new SHI trail into the woods past the spring. It winds around to the other side of the stream across from the house. Future additions will circle thru the woods and back. I saw bunches of Trillium despite the spread of invasive plants. Deeper into the woods is more natural so I am looking forward to finishing the trail. There are lots of big trees - beech, magnolia, sweetbay, tulip poplar, pines and various oaks.
Here's me walking the new SHI trail into the woods past the spring. It winds around to the other side of the stream across from the house. Future additions will circle thru the woods and back. I saw bunches of Trillium despite the spread of invasive plants. Deeper into the woods is more natural so I am looking forward to finishing the trail. There are lots of big trees - beech, magnolia, sweetbay, tulip poplar, pines and various oaks.